Mavs’ Rick Carlisle insists Jalen Brunson done for the season even if play resumes

According to Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle, Mavs guard Jalen Brunson is done for the 2019-20 season even if it resumes.

NBA owners and executives are still eyeing the resumption of the season from mid-June to August. But as of writing, the season still hangs in the balance with the coronavirus pandemic still spreading across the globe. But even if the season resumes, Carlisle made it clear that Brunson won’t suit back up.

Rick Carlisle said he will not play this season, even if the season lasts well into the summer. https://t.co/XWHb7N823P

To recall, Brunson suffered a shoulder injury in the first quarter of the Mavs game at Atlanta on Feb. 22. A few weeks later, on March 13, the 23-year-old underwent surgery to fix a labrum injury in his right shoulder.

The second-year guard had played in 57 games (16 starts) for the Mavs this season with averages of 8.2 points, 3.3 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 17.9 minutes per contest.

Initially, the Mavs thought that Brunson could play through the injury without requiring surgery. They initially let it heal naturally and even eyed the surgery to be held in the summer.

“I’m just trying to get it as healthy as possible to where I feel comfortable,” he said, per Mavs reporter Eddie Sefko. “There’s going to be pain, stuff that hurts a little bit. But getting to where I’m comfortable enough to play.”

“It depends on how this rehab goes. But that’s definitely a possibility. Just trying to get it as healthy as possible and then, try to get back. And whenever the season ends, we’ll go from there.”

Perhaps the good thing is that Brunson has ample time to rest and recover. Come the 2020-21 season, whenever that may be, Brunson will be in tip-top shape and injury-free.